Officials: KC streetcar to land TIGER grant

Kansas City's initial streetcar effort will receive $20 million in additional federal funding once the next round of TIGER grants is officially announced, according to two U.S. congressional representatives from Missouri.

Both Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) told the Kansas City Star last week that the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant will allow the 2.2-mile, $102 million system to be constructed with double-track capability.The TIGER grant would cover roughly 20% of the project's estimated cost.

"We're on a roll in Kansas City, and the taxpayers in our community can be pleased that the work we're doing here is being recognized nationally," said Cleaver.

Kansas City had applied for a $25 million TIGER grant in 2012, but didn't have its local funding mechanism in place, a decided handicap. But a newly established downtown transportation district, approved by Kansas City voters who live or own businesses in the district, has since addressed that requirement. The vote was challenged, but upheld by the Missouri Court of Appeals last month.

Kansas City officials have said they intend to seek streetcar rolling stock through options already held by Cincinnati or Salt Lake City, which are advancing their own streetcar lines.